Early in his freshman season, Will Tucker recognized a flaw in his game that limited his playing time with the Lake Zurich boys basketball team.

Since then, Tucker has been adding new elements each summer to become a well-rounded player.

“When I came up to the varsity, I had a short leash,” said Tucker, now a junior guard. “If I made one defensive mistake, I was taken out, so I knew I had to get into the weight room.

“I’ve put a lot of work in the weight room since I got to high school. I made that a focus. I realized I had to get stronger. I didn’t want that to be the thing that prevented me from playing, especially on defense because I was a liability at first. It helped me a lot.”

With Peter DiCerbo and Ryan Kutsor graduating from last season’s Class 4A sectional title-winning team, Tucker and point guard J.R. Cison will take on expanded roles. The 6-foot-1 Tucker, a Lake Zurich resident, said his current project is becoming an all-around threat on offense.

“Last year, I was mainly a spot-up-and-shoot type player,” Tucker said. “I would shoot a lot of 3s. This year, it will be a lot different because we lost a lot of guys. I have to play a different role and take a different approach. But J.R. is great to have because he sets everybody up.

“Me and J.R. are both looking to penetrate more, whether to penetrate and score or penetrate and kick. Last year we played small ball, so there were lanes last year. We are both ready for the challenge.”

Replacing DiCerbo and Kutsor will not be an easy task for the Bears. Last season, DiCerbo averaged 13 points and 7.5 rebounds. Kutsor, a three-year starter, averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Tucker said the Bears understand the tough task of high expectations following last season’s playoff run, plus losing coach Billy Pitcher. Cison, an inside-outside threat with his shooting and driving, forms a solid duo with Tucker in the backcourt due to their diverse skills.

“I’m very excited for the challenge,” Tucker said. “I’m looking forward to going to battle. I love competing. When the popcorn starts popping, I’m ready and love to play.

“We’re focused as a team on getting better. We’re not comparing ourselves to last year’s team or any other team. We’re worried about us.”

New Lake Zurich coach Terry Coughlin, a longtime assistant coach at New Trier, said Tucker and Cison are foundational players to help create a positive culture. He expects Tucker to become a versatile player on the offensive end.

“Will and J.R. are really good leaders and players,” Coughlin said. “Will’s a versatile kid who can really shoot the basketball and really help us in the leadership aspect. He’s a great shooter, and everybody knows that.

“But Will is ... taking his game to the next level, adding some things off the dribble and really committed himself to being a better defender. But what I’m really proud of is he’s finding his voice and really developing his leadership skills. Losing Peter and Ryan is tough. This team has to find their voice, their work ethic. I think Will is stepping into that role gradually.”